Surfing With The Alien [Remastered] - Joe Satriani

Advantages: Amazing songwriting, fantastic technical skills, easy to listen to
Disadvantages: Could bore non-guitar players

...then, the album list: Surfing With The Alien (4.25) The album track, and probably one of his best known song's. This song is reverred in the guitar world as it's pure technical prowess and songwriting skills outmatch most other guitarists. It's a nice heavy tune, wich launches us staraight into the action, Joe gives us a nice heavy riff before blasting in with his fantastic tone and a lead riff. The solo here show's us exactly what Joe's made of, ...
...there's no way anyone can play that fast! Rating:10/10 Ice 9 (3.59) One of my favorite's, an amazing rhythm part, and a really melodic lead. The rhythm is really funky and the lead works well with that. The solo on this song is probably my favorite because Joe uses a lot of different effects, and I love the way his tone changes halfway through the solo. Here we can see how well Joe can use the whammy bar with a really weird effect to finish off ... Read review

Advantages: Some cool songs that are ear pleasing.
Disadvantages: Some tracks drag on.Lasts 37mins.

Joe Satriani – SURFING WITH THE ALIEN: Released 1987, (so its 17years old! Almost as old as me!) I have listened to this album so many time I have lost count, not only has it been playing the role of most music in entertaining us, but for me being a guitarist this has served as inspiration as well. So many years on I listened to this with a fresh ear today, and ill try to review it, incorporating in some of the complex guitar techniques along the ...
...01 – Surfing with the alien If you have not heard of this track then its very unlikely that you have ever heard anything of Joe’s before (unless you have watched “say anything” which features song clips of “one big rush”!). This is THE track to listen to (also see my review under “Guitars” for Joe to check out other songs to listen to.) just for the fact that it should leave you with your mind ticking over the question … “ can a guitar make those ... Read review

Advantages: Amazingly good and different for the era guitar playing
Disadvantages: no vocals, hard to relate to for non musicians

...Track List 1. Surfing With The Alien- 4:25- This iconic opening track features wah-wah riffs far removed from anything else of its time and a almost legendary pull of solo, The Riff of this track makes it one of the most memorable songs on the album as well as one of the most technically brilliant 2. Ice-9 -3.59- This song is an example of how joe can build complex and beatiful melody lines out of otherwise simple chord patterns, This song gives ...
...up to solos. instead of diving right in there! as many do these days! 3. Crushing Day - 5:14- My favourite song on the album, This song is satriani at his best, a memorable melody line and a strong prominent chord sequence, this song builds up magnificently into one of my favourite solo sections, shows great use of the whammy bar skills and legato sections which he is famous for, a must try for any guitarist. 4. Always With Me, Always With You- ... Read review

Advantages: Guitar virtuosity at its best
Disadvantages: A bit short

...TRACK LISTNG 1. Surfing With the Alien – 4:25 2. Ice 9 – 3:25 3. Crushing Day – 5:14 4. Always With Me, Always With You – 3:22 5. Satch Boogie – 3:13 6. Hill of the Skull – 1:48 7. Circles – 3:28 8. Lords of Karma – 4:48 9. Midnight – 1:42 10. Echo – 5:37 The first three songs are all quite similar; they each have a simple, upbeat riff with Joe playing some stunning leads over the top. They are a mixture of blues, hard rock and fusion ...
...at how anyone can play at such speed. These three songs are my favourite on the album and a feature that works really well with is that they repeat a previous line of notes in a different key. ‘Surfing With the Alien’ is truly outstanding. It is very fast and exciting with lots of technical tricks and flashy playing to boot. ‘Ice 9’ is equally magnificent. Boisterous and anthemic, it would be great for the beginning of an action film. ‘Crushing ... Read review

Advantages: Stunning guitar work
Disadvantages: A touch cheesy at time

Surfing With the Alien is an album of interesting and technically blinding songs. But then an album full of instrumentals has to be. The style varies from blues (The incredible Satch Boogie) to rock (Surfing With the Alien) to ambient (Always with me, always with you). This album will be of interest to any guitarist, if only for the ‘oooh’ factor. My one criticism (And it’s a popular one with me) is the length of the album, sure you get a lot of ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing Guitarist
Disadvantages: Very Short

...This is the second instrumental album by the guitar legend Joe Satriani. It is very short at 37 mins and 42 secs, but is a master class in guitar playing. Satriani gives his guitars a voice and allows them to sing out on each track. 1. Surfing with the Alien. As the opening and title track of the album one expects it to be one of the best, this track certainly lives up to this expectation, it heralds in the rest of the album as is a perfect opening to this album. 2. Ice 9. This one of the funkier sounding songs on the album and beyond doubt the most emotional. 3. Crushing Day. As the second longest track on this disc one expects it to contain some of the newer more experimental techniques, not quite, as this is a very cheesy track that sounds as if it should be the theme tune a to film. 4. Always with me, Always with you. Another... Read review

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